Northern Ireland is facing a massive shortage of midwives with nearly a quarter of the profession eligible for retirement.

The leader of midwives in Northern Ireland has warned that 23% of the workforce is over the age of 55.

Breedagh Hughes, director of the Royal College of Midwives, said she is concerned many of them may choose to leave the profession in the coming months as the government refuses to back down in a long running row over pay.

“The service would struggle to deliver if this happens,” she added.

Ms Hughes is due to address the Stormont health committee today to outline her concerns about the future of midwifery in the face of serious staffing concerns.

“Midwifery is an attractive career option for young women and last year there were more than 500 applicants for about 50 training places,” she explained.

“However, 23% of the profession is aged over 55 and they can actually retire any time now and our worry is that a whole section of midwives will decide to walk away.

“We are concerned they will decide that enough is enough given what is going on with pay and pensions and they will choose to retire.

“There are plenty of new midwives but it would be impossible to replace the vast experience and knowledge we could lose at any time.”

Breedagh Hughes

The evidence at Parliament Buildings today comes as RCM members in Northern Ireland prepare for their first strike in the organisation’s 134 year history.